Engineers salary? Im getting different answers about this. Some say 50k some say 90k. Who has experience w/it?

Question

I have been told 50k a year and also at least 90k a year. I may be changing careers into this but want to know what Engineers make. Can anyone help with this that has experience? Thanks

Answer 1

Speaking from experience here.

The starting salaries are around $65,000 a year with trained and demanding positions around 100,000 or even more.

However, a lot of engineers do not work for anyone, they own their own businesses, about 25 % of them, and they make a lot more money than either Lawyers or Doctors do in those cases.

Plus the engineering training is such that an engineer can be a better investor of his money and that in the long run creates more wealth for them.

You might just take a look at several of the Engineering schools around the country and just see the huge donations these engineers give back to their alma matter. For one who has not done this it will certainly be enlightening for you.

Certainly, that money was earned primarly because they became educated in the profession and moved upward in earnings to accumulate such wealth to give a little back.

Answer 2

I am graduating in May from a Civil Engineering program and seeing many offers in the 40 - 50k range starting (with no experience). I don't know how much this number varies between engineering disciplines though... but I know that your salary increases rather quickly with experience in a few years.

Answer 3

www.salary.com and I am sure you will find what you are looking for. Begining engineer with BS degree 40-50K some places, PHD much more. But BS engineering, just starting out, you are not going to get 90 K per year. I have been an engineer since 1980, and I dont make 90 K.

Answer 4

Just saw a report on TV, starting salaries for Chem Eng is just under 60K. I saw another report that software eng. can earn 70K, but I don't know if this is starting or with experience.